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CONS

Quickly peters out in content; with only a modicum of dedication you'll have nothing more than upgrades and new heroes to add novelty to proceeding.

Controlling the flow of combat is haphazard; forces you to invest in defenses on everyone to cover your bases.

VERDICT

Middle Manager of Justice is how freemium should be - despite its repetitious nature, there's always something new to occupy your attention and you're never punished for wanting to explore all of these options; IAP feels like it actually enhances the game, instead of merely replacing gameplay elements that should already be there.

Full Review

App Store Info

When someone says their game is for free, there's always going to be a catch - either it's merely a demo for something larger, or there are multiple strings attached in an effort to guide you towards their In-App Purchase store. While the former is something we're used to, the latter is still a sore point for many gamers as developers often strip back their game, holding back gameplay behind artificial walls (often through extended waiting periods).

Middle Manager of Justice by Double Fine and Dracogen still holds to the tried-and-true management style of gameplay, but while waiting can be involved, the game does something special - it remembers your progress, allowing you to change what you're doing at a moment's notice.

Such a simple thing turns out to be a boon for the free title as you're always swamped with goals to complete. Some of the heroes in your organization may need a rest; others may need their moral picked up; while the rest could be training to take on harder thugs. Of course you can also take to the streets and dish out justice directly, but players with too much on their plate can also 'delegate' work, wasting a minute of time and letting the AI fight it out for you.

The real fun comes in taking control of the action directly by 'watching' the fight and activating special abilities, items, and 'Manager' abilities to turn the tide. You'll always have a battle or three to fight thanks to regularly spawning missions, and it's in your interest to completely them as soon as possible as the 'moral' of the city you're protecting will modify your modest income.

Having so much back and forth between turn-based combat and base building and management makes for a full experience, and one that only gets better as you bulk up your fighting force with new heroes, each with their own distinct skill set. Crush enough bad guys and you'll unlock a boss fight, granting access to new areas and potentially higher incomes.

Middle Manager of Justice is freemium done right - it's basic, but addictive thanks to its multitude of tiny, yet meaningful goals. Throwing cash at the IAP store isn't needed, and while it does provide some advantages, it won't ruin the challenge.

http://youtu.be/HsJOTYMZswkWhether you're strapped for cash or you need yet another insanely addictive management title, we recommend this game.

Description

USA Today - ★★★★ "The animated art style is gorgeous, the dialogue clever and funny, and strong mechanics rescue mobile players yearning for their next great game."

Gamezebo - ★★★★ "...when it looks this good, is written this intelligently, and plays with such ease, you'll have a hard time saying no."

Macgasm "Game of the Week"

One of Game Informer's "best games that 2012 has to offer" in their 2012 Holiday Buying Guide!

Somewhere between GOOD and EVIL... Between ORDER and CHAOS... Between UPPER MANAGEMENT and the SENIOR STAFF... You'll find the glue that holds it all together: The Middle Manager of Justice!

Congratulations, you are the new Middle Manager of Justice! You have been hired to whip the latest branch of Justice Corp. into shape! Train and manage your team of superheroes to thwart crime and save citizens around the city! Increase efficiency in your branch by building new facilities and upgrading the equipment! Could it be done without you? Yeah, probably. But it would be sloppy, costly and demotivating!